I strained my quads. Help!

[Bertha Venation]

I tried a new program on my elliptical trainer last night and today my quadriceps are screaming. Ow. I don't want to skip a day, but I'm afraid of making it worse. Any advice?

[TrogL]

1. skip a day or two

or at least reduce your regimen

[private_ryan]

2. I though you did some other workout and really hurt them

just relax and take it gradually. By tomorrow and Mon you'll be fine. Doing this is not good for you by the way, no pain no gain doesn't apply here. If you take it step by step you'll achive much better results and still be able to walk the next day.

on edit: what did you do that they hurt so much from the elliptical trainer? seems strange to me

[Bertha Venation]

4. notched up

I increased the size of the "hills" on the "rolling" program by one tick, and increased my time.

"Doing this is not good for you by the way" -- doing what?

[private_ryan]

5. killing yourself

cause you'll damage the muscle and the next time when you're torn between execising or not (everyone gets those days) you might choose not to, and use the pain you felt a week ago as justification (in your mind).

[Bertha Venation]

10. honey, relax.

I am not killing myself. I am not stupid. I overdid it and am soliciting advice on caring for strained quads, not advice on how to exercise.

But thanks for playing.

[Padraig18]

3. Skip a day.

You've actually broken some muscle tissue down, and have much lactic acid present in the muscles themselves; you could do further injury to yourself by having another go at it today. Time is your ally in overcoming this problem.

[radwriter0555]

6. Take some advil.

It'll help a lot.

[Skittles]

7. I advise you to skip a day or two

do NOT exercise when you are in pain. That "no pain no gain" thing is absolute BULLSHIT. Your body is trying to tell you something - GIVE IT A REST!

[buddhamama]

8. skip a day

when working your muscles it is better to skip a day.

work a different area of your body but give your quadriceps a rest.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

9. BE CAREFUL

I strained my quads last year during track then a day later I played in an indoor soccer tournament and almost ripped my quads. I continued playing and they grew really tight and wouldn't stretch out anymore. It was as close as I've ever come to feeling like dying! I'd advise skipping a day and stretching a lot.

[Bertha Venation]

11. thank you

LeftPeople, buddhamama, Skittles, radwriter, Paddy, ryan & TrogL. I will skip today and, actually, do something I remembered from college: Ice massage. Thanks to all!